Figure 6.

Schematics of possible mechanisms of action of ASIC1a in mitochondria. (a) (1) Nonconducting role(s) of mtASIC1a: mtASIC1a may function as one of the modulators of MPT pores (upper left panel); mtASIC1a may function as one of the components of MPT pores (upper right panel). (2) mtASIC1a may mediate Na⁺ influx, reducing the driving force and counteracting MCU. (b) The protective effects of ASIC1a gene deletion in pathological neuronal death. ANT, adenine nucleotide translocase; MCU, mitochondrial Ca²⁺ uniporter; MPTP, mitochondrial permeability transition pore, ROS, reactive oxygen species; F₀, F₀ portion of ATP synthase; F₁, F₁ portion of ATP synthase; ΔΨ_m, mitochondrial membrane potential